ARCHITECT

Architects are licensed professionalstrained in the art and science of buildingdesign. They provide a wide variety ofprofessional services to individuals andorganizations planning a constructionproject.

Tasks

Provide pre-design services -conducting feasibility andenvironmental impact studies,selecting a site, and specifying therequirements the design must meet;Prepare drawings and a reportpresenting ideas for the client toreview;Develop final construction plans;Prepare cost analysis;May assist client in obtainingconstruction bids, selecting acontractor, and negotiating theconstruction contract;Visit construction site to ensure thatthe contractor is following the design,using specified materials andmeeting the specified standards forthe quality of work;Review the progress of the project;Do long-range planning for landdevelopment;May direct activities of workersengaged in preparing drawings andspecification documents.

Basic Educational RequirementA professional degree in Architecture (a

5-year program) is the basic educationalrequirement. Prior to taking up the licensureexamination for Architects, a period ofpractical training and internship is required.Architecture students who completeinternships in architectural firms while still inschool can count that time toward therequired training period. Graduates ofArchitecture have to pass the licensureexamination conducted by the ProfessionalRegulation Commission before they canpractice the profession or can providearchitectural services.

Although graduate education beyondthe professional degree is not essential forpracticing architecture, it is normallyrequired for research, teaching and otherspecialized areas of architectural work.

Skills and Competencies

Ability to visually communicate ideasto clients;Ability to conceptualize andunderstand spatial relationships;Artistic and drawing ability;Excellent communication (written &oral) skills;Computer literacy - knowledge ofcomputer - aided design anddrafting CADD);Strong Organizational skills withattention to details;Managerial & supervisory skills.

Physical Attributes and Characteristics

Creative;Artistic;Responsive to client’s needs;Ability to work independently or aspart of a team.

Salary/CompensationLocally, architects receive a monthly

salary ranging from P16,000 - P21,000depending on the type of employer.

In the Middle East, architects receive amonthly salary of $1,395 to $2,790, againdepending on the type of employer.

In other foreign countries, pay andbenefits are definitely higher than localrates.

Prospects for Career AdvancementArchitects who have acquired

considerable experience in their workeventually manage entire projects. In largeestablishments, architects may advance tosupervisory or managerial positions. Somebecome partners in established firms whileothers may set up their own architecturalfirms and become an independentpractitioner.

As a career move, architects may alsoenter other related fields such as graphicinterior or industrial design; urban planning;real estate development; civil engineering;and construction management.

Employment OpportunitiesOverall, job opportunities are good

although the demand for architects isaffected by fluctuations in the economy,particularly the state of the constructionindustry. Growth coming from both non-residential and residential construction willprovide ample job opportunities forpracticing architects.

Demographic trends such as increasingpopulation also support an increase indemand for this profession. An increasingpopulation will require the building of morehouses, schools, health care facilities suchas hospitals, commercial office spaces,entertainment facilities, shopping centersand other type of structures.

A recent trend is the outsourcing tolocal architectural firms the drafting ofconstruction plans from foreign countries.This trend is expected to continue especiallywith the unprecedented growth in thebusiness process outsourcing (BPO) industryin the Philippines.

Opportunities for overseas employmentis also expanding particularly in the MiddleEast countries that are experiencing aconstruction boom in their economy. Also,better opportunities are available to thosewho know CADD technology since the useof computer-aided design and drafting isnow the practice of most architecturalcompanies.

Cost of Education *A degree in Architecture costs around

P25,000 to P35,000 per semester.

* Based on tuition fee rates for school year 2007 - 2008